American Blues Announces Live May Virtual Events
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, presents a live, online reading of There's A Clown in My Bubble, written and performed by Ensemble Member Philip Earl Johnson on May 14 at 7pm Central, as part of “The Room” series. Ensemble Member Ian Paul Custer will perform Piano Man, celebrating 50 years of the music of Billy Joel, on Friday, May 21 at 7pm Central as part of “The Garage” series.
Photo Flash: First Look At THE WINTER'S TALE At Goodman Theatre
No modern American director is better at making a play's iconic moments pop with fresh irreverence' (Chicago Tribune). Artistic Director Robert Falls reimagines The Winter's Tale-one of William Shakespeare's final and most wildly theatrical works-following his celebrated revivals of Measure for Measure (2013) and King Lear (2006) at Goodman Theatre.
BWW Review: ON CLOVER ROAD at American Blues Theater
Like a car in a drag race, Steven Dietz's theatrical thriller ON CLOVER ROAD goes from zero to 100 within the first few seconds and doesn't shift down for 85 minutes. The challenge of telling this tale full of twists in such a short time is where do we go once we're at 100? The intensity for the actors and the audience is equal parts thrilling and exhausting. When this car finally comes to a stop, it's hard to determine if there's actually a winner.
American Blues Theater Presents The Chicago Premiere Of ON CLOVER ROAD
American Blues Theater continues its 2018-2019 Season with the Chicago Premiere of the thriller On Clover Road, by Steven Dietz and directed by Halena Kays. On Clover Road runs February 1 - March 16, 2019 at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont Ave in Chicago. The official press opening is Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
American Blues Theater Adds Ensemble Members, 'Buddy Holly' Zachary Stevenson Appointed To Artistic Affiliates
American Blues Theater announces the addition of five new Ensemble members and one new Artistic Affiliate to the Blues family. Joining the Ensemble is director, designer and Associate Producer Elyse Dolan, who directed several works in past Ripped and Blue Ink festivals; designer Jared Gooding, lighting designer of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story; actor Philip Earl Johnson, who is slated to appear in the upcoming Chicago premiere of Steven Dietz's On Clover Road; director Chuck Smith, director of the recent American Blues production of Pearl Cleage's Flyin' West; and actress and playwright Wandachristine, who won many awards for her solo performance Beauty's Daughter. Actor Zachary Stevenson has been named an Artistic Affiliate. Stevenson recently made his Chicago debut as 'Buddy Holly' in American Blues Theater's Joseph Jefferson Award-winning musical Buddy - the Buddy Holly Story, in which he also won a Jeff Award for Performance in a Musical.
BWW Review: AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE at Goodman Theatre
With his use of phrases such as 'fake facts' and 'drain the swamp', Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls overtly speaks to the current political climate in his new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. The audience's audible reactions to particularly searing lines prove that this 19th-century classic remains as relevant as ever, and Falls' thoughtful direction presents nuanced characters and ideas which defy simplistic analysis.
Photo Flash: Robert Falls Presents Henrik Ibsen's AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
On the heels of Artistic Director Robert Falls' world premiere production of Blind Date comes his new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. Nearly 150 years after Ibsen's masterpiece first thrilled audiences, it "is startling how current the play's ideas feel' (The New York Times) as it examines the complexities of corruption, greed and destruction of the environment and remains "a play so necessary, so exhilarating to experience.' (The Village Voice) When a water contamination crisis puts their community in peril, two brothers-Philip Earl Johnson as Thomas Stockmann, doctor and chief medical officer of the baths and Scott Jaeck as Peter Stockmann, Thomas' older brother and town mayor-face off in a battle of political ambitions and moral integrity.
American Blues Theater Announces 2018-2019 Season
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2018 - 2019 Season, "Home Sweet Home." American Blues' 33rd Season will include the Chicago Premieres of On Clover Road by Steven Dietz, directed by Halena Kays and The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne, directed by Kurt Johns; Flyin' West by Pearl Cleage, directed by Chuck Smith; the 17th annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film, directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside; and The Spitfire Grill - a musical book, lyrics, and music by James Valeq & Fred Alley, music directed by Malcolm Ruhl.
Cast Announced For Robert Falls' AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE at Goodman Theatre
Falls directs his adaptation, based on a translation by Eleanor Marx-Aveling, with a cast featuring Philip Earl Johnson as Thomas Stockmann, doctor and chief medical officer of the baths; Scott Jaeck as Peter Stockmann, Thomas' older brother and town mayor; Lanise Antoine Shelley as Katherine, Thomas' wife; Rebecca Hurd as Thomas' daughter, Petra. Rounding out the cast are Jesse Bhamrah (Billing), David Darlow (Morten Kiil), Allen Gilmore (Aslaksen), Aubrey Deeker Hernandez (Hovstad), Larry Neumann, Jr. (The Drunk) and Carley Cornelius, Arya Daire, Guy Massey, Roderick Peeples and Dustin Whitehead as townspeople.
Photo Flash: First Look at THE COLUMNIST at American Blues Theatre
American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago Premiere of The Columnist by David Auburn and directed by Keira Fromm. The Columnist runs now through April 1, 2017 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
American Blues Theater to Stage Chicago Premiere of David Auburn's THE COLUMNIST
American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago Premiere of The Columnist by David Auburn and directed by Keira Fromm. The Columnist runs February 17 - April 9, 2017 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
American Blues Theater to Stage Chicago Premiere of David Auburn's THE COLUMNIST
American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago Premiere of The Columnist by David Auburn and directed by Keira Fromm. The Columnist runs February 17 - April 9, 2017 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.